Although many Western countries have closed entry to Russians, Norway not only keeps the checkpoints, but also allows Russian ships to moor in its ports, The Wall Street Journal wrote. This relationship shows that whatever the situation in Ukraine, countries bordering Russia need to find ways to communicate with it.
Many Russians from the region bordering Norway still go to the nearby town of Kirkenes to shop, while most European countries have closed entry to them, The Wall Street Journal wrote. Although the border has become much calmer, the movements there continue, the author of the article writes. “It’s a reminder that no matter what happens in Ukraine, Russia’s neighbors must find a way to live with it. The process of figuring out how to do that can be uncomfortable and sometimes painful.”
The Norwegian and Russian coast guards still cooperate in Arctic search and rescue operations, and their border guards communicate almost daily. Russia even allows wild animals to be taken away when reindeer accidentally wander in from Norway, although Norway does not reciprocate. The Russian consulate in Kirkenes recently resumed issuing visas – many Norwegians go to Russia for cheap cigarettes and alcohol.
But tensions between the two countries are growing. Norway recently expelled 15 Russian diplomats from its embassy in Oslo.
Oil-rich Norway is a leading member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, helping Ukraine. “We are a member of NATO, and that gives us deterrence,” said political scientist Thomas Nielsen. – At the same time, we are geographically so close to Russia with its ballistic missile submarines that we want to appease it. Norway does not want to disturb Russia by increasing tensions in the border areas.
The border with Russia is even less crowded today than it was before the special operation: two Russian units were sent from here to Ukraine.
It is interesting that Norway has never been at war with Russia, the author notes. After Norway was occupied by the Nazis during World War II, the Norwegian government-in-exile established a military mission in Moscow. When the war came to an end, Soviet troops helped reclaim the territory, but did not try to annex it. Before the special operation, “the Russians were considered liberators in that part of the country.”
At first the borders closed during the pandemic, but then there were several surges of immigration from Russia to Norway after the start of the special operation. But Norway is now very wary of Russian travelers and checks them carefully.
At the same time, after the flow of Russian natural gas to Europe plummeted, Norway became the main energy supplier to the continent. And after the attack against Nord Stream, Norway began to closely monitor the safety of its underwater pipelines and communication cables.
The city of Kirkenes is one of three Western ports that continue to provide mooring access for Russian ships. At the same time, Norwegian Defense Ministry officials claim that Russia is not maneuvering its submarines and strategic bombers near the Norwegian border in Gadzhievo.
Meanwhile, according to leaked U.S. classified documents, the U.S. was considering conducting its expedition in the Kara Sea with a detachment of NATO warships, a plan that Norway supported. This step would violate existing restrictions in these waters. However, such maneuvers did not happen in the end, and the authenticity of the document is difficult to verify, notes The Wall Street Journal.
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